Greenpeace activists shut down BP gas stations all over London

This morning, starting at 5.30am, teams of Greenpeace volunteers shut down 50 BP stations across London.

The teams - each named after an animal threatened by BP's reckless oil exploration - fanned out across the capital in their electric and hybrid cars, going station to station and disabling the pumps.

Why today? Because BP is expected to announce later the appointment of Bob Dudley as the company's new head to replace the gaffe-prone Tony Hayward, who led BP during the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

ABOVE: The safety switches from the BP Stations in London that were shutdown today by Greenpeace volunteers. These were removed, operating the safety shutdown and and closing the pumps. We're going to return all the switches later but until they fit new ones at the stations, the pumps will be out of action.

When I was 8 my friends and I set up a little stall in our street and sold some of our toys and donated the money to Greenpeace. We did this every yea...

When I was 8 my friends and I set up a little stall in our street and sold some of our toys and donated the money to Greenpeace. We did this every year until I was about 15 when I got more involved with animal rights and really started to think about the world around me. I have been committed to helping change things for the better ever since. I have been an avid supporter of Greenpeace ever since.

Recently I have become more and more concerned at Greenpeace's activities and lack of understanding of the world we live in and our constant desire to 'kill' BP off is just one more evidence to me that we have lost all common sense and focus.

It is not safe to remove and steal the parts that the 'teams' did at the BP forecourts. It is irresponsible and dangerous to mess with that kind of thing. Greenpeace used to have a balance of common sense now it is full of hypocritical louts who just like to bully.

That's what I see Greenpeace as now, a big bunch of well funded bullies. We have become that which we set out to monitor and pressure. Who monitors Greenpeace? Nobody. Greenpeace IS the big bully now, it's our way or no way. We don't relate to democracy because deep down we no longer believe in it.

We can talk about responsibility all we like but the bottom line is that BP has already promised - and is fulfilling that promise - to clean up it's mess. Where is our criticism of the two other companies involved in this mess? We are silent on them. Greenpeace sees a chance to destroy an oil company and so we take it without regard to the consequences of jobs, economy or the realities of the world.

I know how we all laugh off the argument that people give when we are asked 'Do you drive a car? Do you use oil? Use plastic products? Do you ride a bus or train? But these are serious questions, and our answer of 'When we drive or fly it's for the greater good' reminds me of 'Animal Farm' - some animals are more equal that others I guess.

I wanted to comment because I am done with supporting such an hypocritical organisation that doesn't think through on it's actions. This attitude of ours is highlighted by the blatantly unsafe actions the 'team' carried out today when it stole the safety valves from 50 BP forecourts.

I wonder if the 'team' was thinking about the possible consequences of their actions when they DROVE to the BP petrol stations and disrupted hundreds of normal law abiding British people just trying to earn a living.

I am sad to say I will no longer support such an organisation and withdraw my vocal, financial, and physical support.

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Jusrydem
says:

Why in the world would you take the safety switches???? That is just irresponsible and unsafe! Shame on Greenpeace! I have to agree completely with Sc...

Why in the world would you take the safety switches???? That is just irresponsible and unsafe! Shame on Greenpeace! I have to agree completely with Scholesy on this one. You are sending the wrong message to everyone.

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Lisa
says:

To be clear - removing the safety switches after the pumps have been turned OFF is not dangerous. The activists closed the pumps down by using the switches and removing the switches themselves simply it means the petrol pumps can't be switched on again until they give the switches back or new ones are installed.

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osvaldo
says:

When I was a little boy, my teachers used to talk about the end of the oil era and the beginning of an era of renewable and clean energy. I still reme...

When I was a little boy, my teachers used to talk about the end of the oil era and the beginning of an era of renewable and clean energy. I still remember when bought my first renewable energy book at the age of 14 (24 years ago).

It's frustrating to know that after three decades, oil and pollution are still a major problem.

My generation is in charge now. It's time for us to put in practice what we learned in school.

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concernedmom
says:

I think the protests in London today are fabulous! We need to send a clear message to decision makers that business as usual - continued dependence on dirty fuels is not okay. If they take action to stop subsidizing big oil like BP and put in place policies to kick start clean energy we can protect our kids. thanks to all those people today in London for their courageous actions to make people think!

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akshiram
says:

Action is brave and necessary - people dont listen to words anymore when money is involved.

I think it is brilliant to show huge monstero...

Action is brave and necessary - people dont listen to words anymore when money is involved.

I think it is brilliant to show huge monsterously powerful giant like BP that we the people are more effective than they think.
THANK GOD there is a group like Green Peace who is big and strong enough, and with enough backing and support from the public to do for us what we aren't powerful enough to do as individuals!
They have my full support.

And to those who find that actions like these are "dangerous for the public" I'd like to day this:
Just because BP acts with caution and safety in your rich and privaledged country doesn't mean that people aren't suffering illnesses and dying from the money obsessed short cuts that big oil companies are taking all the time! Daily!

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Simse
says:

Today and London is the right spot for this action and I like what Greenpeace did! BP really has to change direction and move (as they once promised) ...

Today and London is the right spot for this action and I like what Greenpeace did! BP really has to change direction and move (as they once promised) 'beyond petroleum'!
I am aware that BP is just one player in the game. But one has to make the first move otherwise the game will never change.
What we need is an energy revolution!

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Laura
says:

If BP can invest its billions in projects that are permanently destroying our environment why can't people shut down their gas stations for a day?

BP is making possible energy projects - like Arctic oil exploration, which risks another Deepwater style spill in an extremely remote and fragile region, AND the Canadian tar sands, a project that is decimating one of the world's largest fresh water resources and making local residents sick.

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Lauri Lurch
says:

Way to go girls and guys in the UK!

It was very inspiring to see the pictures of today's protest...

I know so many people ...

Way to go girls and guys in the UK!

It was very inspiring to see the pictures of today's protest...

I know so many people including myself who dream of a green and sustainable future but still don't manage to get up their asses to change their lifestyles radically on a day to day basis.
Shutting down gas stations shows the direct link between the horrible disaster that happened in the Gulf of Mexico and our all addiction to oil - and our personal involvement and responsibility as members of European consumption societies.

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lexi*
says:

that hopefully teaches them something! they go and spend millions to destroy our planet! i think Greenpeace had all the right to do it! Give them some...

that hopefully teaches them something! they go and spend millions to destroy our planet! i think Greenpeace had all the right to do it! Give them some of their own medicine!! i think everyone should avoid BP at all costs!! WAY TO GO GREENPEACE!!